Wenger also discussed Sanchez’s situation after speculation that he was close to finalising a transfer to Manchester City on deadline day, appearing to confirm reports that Arsenal blocked the deal once they struggled to land Lemar as his replacement.

He added: ‘Look I cannot tell you everything that happened because after that when you decide to let a player of (Sanchez’s) calibre go, you need to replace him because nobody would understand that you let the player go and when you cannot do it, you keep the player and make a financial sacrifice because what you want, at the end of the day, is to have a team who has a good potential and top quality.’